NEW    YORK    CITY 


THE  DAWN  OF  ETERNITY 
•*• 

'HE  DAWN  OF  ETERNITY  embodies  a  purpose  kept 
before  its  author  during  the  greater  part  of  his  lifetime — 
the  fulfilment  of  a  solemn  resolution  that  at  all  cost  and  at 
the  first  opportunity,  this  understanding  of  the  basic  Plan 
of  Life  which  had  come  to  him  through  study  of  the 
Scriptures  and  the  symbolic  teachings  of  the  Great  Py^r: 
mid  of  Gizeh,  should  bd  given  the  widest  possible  presenta 
tion  to  the  public. 

The  world-wide  economic  depression  makes  the  produc 
tion  of  a  motion  picture  of  this  magnitude,  involving  an 
expenditure  of  millions  of  dollars,  impracticable  at  the 
present  time.  But  the  author  has  had  specially  printed  for 
him  a  de  luxe  limited  edition  of  the  Play,  copies  of  which 
he  is  presenting  to  some  of  the  large  public  libraries  of  the 
United  States,  Canada,  England,  and  other  countries;  the 
present  copy  being  one  of  these. 

He  trusts  that  this  story  of  man's  right  to  the  life  which 
has  so  long  been  lost,  and  its  assurance  of  an  everlasting 
future  life  on  a  perfected  earth  soon  to  succeed  the  agony, 
fear  and  suffering  of  the  present  social  order,  will  prove 
to  be  a  source  of  supreme  comfort  and  encouragement  to 
many  thoughtful  readers. 


The 

DAWN  OF  ETERNITY 


HE 

OF  &TERNITY 


A  SPECTACULAR  DRAMA 

IN 
FIVE  ACTS  AND  NINE  EPOCHS 


BY 

HARRISON  •  W  •  ROGERS 


821062 


COPYRIGHTED  1910 

BY 
HARRISON  W.  ROGERS 


Contents 

ACT  ONE 


PAGE 

CHARACTERS   IN   EPOCH   THE   FIRST 14 

EPOCH   THE   FIRST 15 

CHARACTERS  IN  EPOCH  THE  SECOND 18 

EPOCH  THE  SECOND 19 

ACT  Two 

EPOCH   THE   THIRD 24 

EPOCH  THE  FOURTH 26 

EPOCH  THE  FIFTH 28 

CHARACTERS  IN  EPOCH  THE  SIXTH 31 

EPOCH  THE  SIXTH 32 

ACT  THREE 

EPOCH  THE  SEVENTH 34 

CHARACTERS  IN  EPOCH  THE  SEVENTH 34 

SCENE  ONE 35 

SCENE  TWO 54 

SCENE  THREE 59 

ACT  FOUR 

EPOCH  THE  EIGHTH 62 

CHARACTERS  IN  EPOCH  THE  EIGHTH 62 

SCENE  ONE 63 

SCENE  TWO 71 

SCENE   THREE 74 

ACT  FIVE 

CHARACTERS  IN  EPOCH  THE  NINTH 75 

EPOCH   THE   NINTH  ,  76 


EPOCHS 

FIRST 

AND 

SECOND 


The  Lord's  Promise  to  Abraham 
of  Man's  Redemption 


1906 

B.C. 


EPOCHS 
THIRD 

FOURTH 
FIFTH 

AND 
SIXTH 


EPOCH 

THE 
SEVENTH 


Set 


The  Redeemer  Cometh 


The  Jews  and  the  Promised  Land 


THE 
TIME 

OF 
CHRIST 


1950 
A.D. 


EPOCH 

THE 
EIGHTH 


jf  our 

Darkness  before  the  Dawn 


3000 

A.D. 


EPOCH 
THE 

NINTH 
AND 
LAST 


jf  toe 


The  Redemption  of  Man 

Baton  of  Cternitp 


THE 
MILLEN 

NIUM 


act 

©ne 


act 


ABRAHAM 

ELTHA 
HER  MOTHER 
HER  FATHER 
NABO 

THE  LEECH 


Epoch  the  First,  1906  B.C. 


Epoch  the  Second,  100  B.C. 


THE  THREE  SHEPHERDS  Epoch  the  Third 

MARY 


JOSEPH 

THE  HOLY  INFANT 

PILATE 

THE  SAVIOUR 

JUDAS 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

MARY,  THE  MOTHER 


Epoch  the  Fourth 

Epoch  the  Fifth 

(p.l) 

Epoch  the  Fifth(^.  2) 
Epoch  the  Sixth 


THE 

TIME 

OF 
CHRIST 


act 


act 

Jfour 


DOCTOR  DARIUS 

MARY  DARIUS 

RUTH  DARIUS 

FATHER  LONG 

SOFIA  PALOVITCH 

BARON  STURM 

LORD  DARTHMUNNING 

ALEXANDER   PALOVITCH 

LORD  KELMORE 

EGLANTINE 

REV.  FRANCIS  DARE 

DAVIS 

GENERAL  DROSKY 

BLIFKA 


Epoch  the  Seventh 
1st  Scene 


2d  Scene 
3  d  Scene 


Epoch  the  Eighth 
1st  Scene 

2d  Scene 


1950 

A.D. 


3000 

A.D. 


act 

Jfibe 


ABRAHAM 

ELTHA 

NABO 

REV.  FRANCIS  DARE 

EGLANTINE 


Epoch  the  Ninth 


THE 
MILLEN 
NIUM 


Baton  of  Ctermtp 


of 


act 

©ne 


TIME 

8:15 


8:20 


EPOCH  THE  FIRST,   1906  B.C. 

Abraham's  Tent  in  the  Desert 
The  Lord's  Promise  to  Abraham 

EPOCH  THE  SECOND,   100  B.C. 

Roof  of  a  House  in  Jericho 

The  Conversion  of  the  Unbeliever 

Five  Minutes  Intermission 


8:35 
8:40 
8:45 
8:50 
8:55 


EPOCH  THE  THIRD 

The  Shepherds  Watching  Their  Flocks 

EPOCH  THE  FOURTH 

The  Birth  of  Christ 

EPOCH  THE  FIFTH  (Part  l) 

Christ's  Trial  Before  Pilate  (2  Tableaux) 

EPOCH  THE  FIFTH  (Part  2) 

The  Night  After  the  Crucifixion 

EPOCH  THE  SIXTH 

"He  is  Risen" 

Ten  Minutes  Intermission 


act 


9:05 

9:15 
9:35 
9:45 


EPOCH  THE  SEVENTH,    1950  A.D. 

The  Congress  of  Religions 

Scene  i :  Study  in  Doctor  Darius'  House,  Jerusalem 
Scene  2:  Ante-Room  in  the  Convention  Hall 
Scene  3 :  Hall  of  the  Congress  of  Religions 
Ten  Minutes  Intermission 


Jfour 


TIME 

10:05 

10:05 

10:15 
10:25 


EPOCH  THE  EIGHTH,  3000  A.D. 

The  Wars  of  the  World 
Scene  i :  Room  in  Lord  Kelmore's  House,  London, 

England 

Scene  2 :  One  Mile  above  London 
Scene  3:  The  Battle  of  London 

Eight  Minutes  Intermission 


act 


10:40 

10:40 
11:00 


EPOCH   THE   NINTH,   THE   MILLENNIUM 

The  Redemption  of  Man 
Scene:  Garden  in  the  Holy  Land 

Baton  of  €termtj> 


The 
DAWN  OF  ETERNITY 


Characters  in  Cpocf)  tfje  Jftrst 


ABRAHAM 


TWO  MALE 


TWO  FEMALE 


SERVANTS 


of  STERN ITY 


SCENE: 


AT  RISE: 


EPOCH  THE  FIRST 


THE  DESERT 

(Abraham's  Tent  R.  C.) 

(Male  and  female  servants  enter  carrying  jugs  of  water 
and  provisions.) 

'Tis  eventide; 
'Tis  eventide. 

The  sunset  light  hath  nearly  died. 
Now  in  God's  keeping  we  abide. 


A  day  of  toil  is  done, 
Gone  with  the  vanished  sun. 
So  pass  our  cares  away, 
Until  another  day. 


ABRAHAM: 


VOICE: 

ABRAHAM; 
VOICE: 


'Tis  eventide; 

'Tis  eventide. 

Tho'  soon  the  shadows  o'er  us  glide, 

Still  in  God's  keeping  we  abide. 


(Servants  enter  tent,  leaving  jugs,  etc.  Re-enter  and 
cross  to  L.  and  exeunt  ivith  repeat  of  refrain,  "  'Tis 
eventide"  etc.) 


(Voices  die   aivay  in  the  distance.   Stage  meanwhile 
growing  darker.) 


(Abraham  enters  from  tent.  He  looks  up  at  darkening 
skies,  crosses  to  L.,  looks  of.) 

My  servants  have  gone  to  their  tents;  the  night 
cometh  on,  and  I  am  alone — alone  in  the  Darkness. 

(Shafts  of  light  from  jour  calciums  at  jour  corners  of 
the  stage  fall  on  him.) 

It  is  the  light  of  God! 

(Offstage.) 
Abraham! 
It  is  the  voice  of  God! 

Abraham,  lift  up  thine  eyes  and  look  from  the  place 
where  thou  art;  all  the  land  that  thou  see'st,  to  the 
East  and  the  West,  and  the  North  and  the  South, 
all  the  land  which  thou  see'st,  to  thee  will  I  give  it, 
and  to  thy  seed  forever. 


— ^ 


ABRAHAM:         Oh,  Lord! 

VOICE:  As  thou  knowest,  man  has  lost  the  right  to  live,  and 

in  the  Fulness  of  Time  the  promise  made  that  the 
seed  of  woman  shall  bruise  the  serpent's  head  will 
come  to  pass,  and  man  will  live  again.  Arise!  Walk 
through  the  land  in  the  length  of  it  and  in  the 
breadth  of  it,  for  I  will  give  it  unto  thee. 


ABRAHAM:         Oh,  Lord! 


(Servants  rush  in.) 


SERVANT:  Didst  thou  call,  Master? 

ABRAHAM:  I  called  thee  not,  but  the  Master  of  all  Masters,  even 
thy  Master's  Master,  hath  called  me  and  thee;  hath 
sworn  a  covenant  with  me  and  thee.  Down  on  thy 
knees  and  worship  the  great  Jehovah,  for  He  is  the 
Lord  of  hosts,  the  Alpha  and  the  Omega. 

RAINBOW 

(Abraham  crosses  to  tent.  Servants  enter.  Tent  is 
struck.  Servants  carry  tent  and  articles  and  cross  from 
R.  C.  to  L.  followed  by  Abraham.) 


END  OF  EPOCH  THE  FIRST 


Character*  in  €porf)  tfje 


ELTHA     -     A  Jewess 

HER  MOTHER  AND  HER  FATHER     -     Jews 
THE  LEECH     •     A  Doctor 
NABO     -     Her  Infidel  Lover 


EPOCH  THE  SECOND 


(PERIOD:  About  One  Hundred  'Years  B.  C.) 

SCENE:    ROOF  OF  HOUSE  IN  JERICHO  WITH  PERSPECTIVE  OF 
OTHER  ROOFS  NEAR  AND  AFAR. 

(Eltha  discovered  lying  on  couch  of  roof.  An  awning  protects 
her  from  sunlight.) 

TIME:      MID-DAY 


ELTHA: 


MOTHER: 


I  fear  it  is  my  last  day;  nay,  it  may  be  my  last  hour 
of  Life.  Yet  I  am  not  sad,  but  rather  can  I  rejoice 
greatly. 

(Sits  up  with  difficulty.) 

I  can  see  his  house,  my  Nabo's  dwelling  place.  It  is 
something  to  see  that — but  I  am  weak  .... 

(Falls  back  on  couch.) 

My  strength  is  all  spent;  it  is  the  end — the  end  .... 

Nabo,  my  loved  one,  though  thou  lovest  not  my 
God,  yet  lovest  me,  and  I  who  love  my  God,  and 
love  thee,  oh,  my  love,  if  thou  would'st  but  believe 
in  Him,  then  would  I  die  happy. 

(Closes  her  eyes.  Mother,  Father  and  Leech  enter.  Mother 
crosses  to  couch  and  gazes  at  sleeping  girl.) 

Verily,  it  may  be  the  sleep  that  knows  no  waking. 
(Leans  over  her.) 


LEECH: 

FATHER; 

LEECH: 

FATHER; 

LEECH: 


NABO: 
LEECH: 


FATHER: 


ELTHA: 


Her  breath  comes  and  goes.  My  darling  is  spared  us 
yet  for  a  while. 

I  give  thee  no  hope. 

None? 

None. 

Thou  would'st  not  bleed  her  more? 

Nay,  for  there  is  but  little  blood  left  in  her  poor 
veins. 

(Nabo  enters,  crosses  toward  couch.  Father  and  Leech 
attempt  to  detain  him.  He  shakes  himself  free  of  them 
as  he  comes  to  couch.) 

(Mother  holds  up  her  hand.) 

Thou  mayest  command,  but  none  other. 
(Aside  to  Father.) 

It  is  this  unbeliever  that  hath  hastened  her  illness 
to  its  approaching  end. 

I  should  kill  him. 

(Runs  to  Nabo.  Stmggles  with  him.) 

I  should  kill  thee,  as  thou  hast  killed  her. 
(Sitting  up  with  difficulty.) 

Nay,  Father,  he  bringeth  me  not  to  Death,  but  to 
Life  Everlasting,  and  I  love  him.  Ah,  how  I  love 
him! 


^  20  % 


MOTHER:  Begone,  thou  unbeliever,  who  hast  taken  our  child 

from  us! 

NABO:  From  me,  from  me,  she  is  taken  from  me! 

(Mother  by  gestiires  attempts  to  prevent  him  sitting 
near  Eltha,  but  recognizes  her  daughter's  wish.) 

ELTHA:  I  will  be  taken  from  thee,  dear  one,  but  not  from 

thee,  sweet  Mother. 

(Father  comes  fowvard.) 

Nor  yet  from  my  good  Father,  for  we  are  of  the 
True  Faith  and  know  that  we  shall  live  again  to 
gether,  forever  and  forever. 

(To  Nabo.) 

But  I  shall  be  taken  from  thee,  thou  whom  I  love, 
because  thou  wilt  not  believe. 

LEECH:  (Aside.) 

I  can  do  no  more,  my  place  is  elsewhere. 

(Exits.) 
(Father  and  Mother  weep.) 

ELTHA:  Leave  Nabo  with  me,  dear  Father  and  Mother,  that 

I  may  perchance  help  him  to  see  the  Light. 

FATHER:  For  a  little  while  only,  Eltha 

(To  Mother.) 

Come! 

(Exeunt  Father  and  Mother.) 


— ^  2,1  ^ — 


ELTHA; 

NABO: 

ELTHA: 


NABO: 


ELTHA 

NABO: 

ELTHA: 

NABO: 

ELTHA; 

NABO: 
ELTHA: 


For  a  little  while,  and  yet  perhaps  for  a  long  while. 
Say  not  so,  my  beloved! 

Nabo,  once  I  numbered  my  life  by  years;  then 
cometh  my  illness,  and  I  numbered  that  life  by 
months.  Lately  have  I  numbered  it  by  days;  at  sun 
rise,  by  hours;  now,  I  count  my  life  by  minutes. 

No,  no.  Thou  wilt  live. 

(Weeps.) 
(Suddenly.) 
Thou  must  live! 

(Fiercely.) 

Bid  thy  God  make  thee  live! 

Hush,  I  have  told  thee  my  life  is  numbered  by  min 
utes — they  are  not  many.  Oh,  Nabo,  believe  in  my 
God  while  yet  I  live. 

No. 

Love  thou  my  God,  as  I  love  my  God. 

Do  as  I  have  done.  Why  not  curse  thy  God  and  die, 
and  at  least  be  at  rest? 

Tho'  He  slay  me — yet  will  I  praise  Him.  Oh,  trust 
in  Him  and  His  Word. 

I  cannot. 

Soon  will  my  life  be  numbered  by  seconds.  Oh,  be 
lieve,  believe  in  Him.  Remember  the  promise  made 
to  Abraham,  and  be  thou  redeemed  in  the  coming 
Dawn. 


«£  22  % 


NABO: 
ELTHA: 


Dawn.  What  Dawn? 


NABO: 


Baton  of  Cternitp. 

(Sinks  back.) 
Nabo  ....  believe  ....  kiss  me  ....  I  die. 

(Nabo  leans  over  couch.  Takes  Eltha  in  his  arms.  Feels 
her  heart.) 

Dead!  Dead! 

(Bus.) 

And  Thou,  her  God,  could'st  not  save  her;  or  if 
Thou  could'st,  Thou  would'st  not! 
(Bus.) 

Dead,  dead!  Oh,  my  Eltha,  oh,  my  truest  heart! 
(Weeps  at  couch.  Rises.) 

Hear  me,  Thou  Jehovah,  Thou  whom  she  adored; 
if  Thou  be  the  only  living  God,  and  perchance  she 
was  right  about  Thee  and  Thy  Power,  and  Thou 
art  the  only  Living  God,  and  I  being  familiar  with 
the  teachings  of  Thy  so-called  people,  and  Thy 
claim  Thy  blood  washes  away  sin,  then  now  to  Thee 
I  turn,  that  I  may  join  her!  And  as  this  morn  I  num 
bered  my  life  by  years,  now  I  number  it  by  seconds. 
Eltha,  believing  in  Thy  God,  I  come! 

(Stabs  himself,  and  falls  dead  over  Eltha's  body.) 
(Father,  Mother  and  Leech  enter  and  run  forward.) 

TABLEAU 
CURTAIN 


END  OF  EPOCH  THE  SECOND 


(EOno 


EPOCH  THE  THIRD 


TABLEAU  CURTAIN:  (PAINTING) 

The  Shepherds  Watching  Their  Flocks  at  Night. 
The  Appearance  of  the  Star. 
Chorus  of  Male  and  Female  Voices  Off  Stage. 


The  patient  shepherds  watched  their  flocks, 

While  slowly  sped  the  night, 
When  suddenly  in  Heaven  appeared 
A  star  of  wond'rous  light. 
So  silvery  fair, 
It  lingered  there, 
A  star  of  wond'rous  light. 


And  marvelling  the  shepherds  gazed — 

Yes,  gazed  with  one  accord, 
When  lo,  before  them  they  beheld 
The  Angel  of  the  Lord! 
A  vision  bright, 
In  robes  of  white — 
The  Angel  of  the  Lord! 


"I  bring  you  tidings  of  great  joy! 

Fear  not,"  he  said  to  them; 
"A  Saviour — Christ  the  Lord — is  born 
In  lowly  Bethlehem! 
Go  ye  and  gaze, 
The  Saviour  lies 
In  lowly  Bethlehem!" 


Then  rose  the  shepherds  to  their  feet, 

And  once  more  gazed  afar, 
While  soft  they  heard  the  Angel's  voice — 
"O  follow  ye  the  star! 

Your  steps  'twill  bring 
To  Christ  the  King. 
So  follow  ye  the  star!" 

(On  the  conclusion  of  the  number  the  star  moves  across  the  skies,  while  the 
picture  gradually  fades  away,  the  star  still  shining  brightly.) 


END   OF  EPOCH   THE  THIRD 


EPOCH  THE  FOURTH 


The  Manger  with  the  Saviour. 

PANTOMIME 

Recording  the  Events  Narrated  in  the  New  Testament. 

The  Arrival  of  the  Shepherds  with  Their  Presentation  of  Gifts 

to  the  Babe. 

MARY,  JOSEPH  AND  THE  SHEPHERDS 

Kneel  at  the  Manger. 


END  OF  EPOCH  THE  FOURTH 


DARK  STAGE 

VISION  OF  THE  HEAVENLY  HOST 
CHORUS  OF  THE  ANGELS 


26%— 


CHORUS  OF  THE  ANGELS 


Rejoice,  rejoice,  oh,  Bethlehem! 

God's  glory  fills  the  night. 
The  darkness  of  the  world  is  lost 

In  everlasting  light. 


2DaUm 

of 
Ctermtp 


Rejoice,  rejoice,  oh,  Eastern  star, 
The  Heavens'  brightest  gem, 

And  bear  the  tidings  near  and  far 
Of  Christ  in  Bethlehem! 


Rejoice,  rejoice,  oh,  World  that  'waits 

God's  one  eternal  plan, 
And  open  wide  Redemption's  gates — 

Redemption's  there  for  Man! 


The  promise  in  the  Eastern  star, 
The  promise  of  all  days; 

The  promise  to  be  borne  afar 
From  where  the  Infant  lies. 


Rejoice,  rejoice,  with  soul  and  voice, 
In  Christ  one  hope  we  see, 

Redemption,  Man's  Redemption — 
For  all  Eternity! 


EPOCH  THE  FIFTH 


TABLEAU  ONE 

CHRIST'S  TRIAL  BEFORE  PILATE 

(A  Living  Representation  of  the  Famous  Painting) 

PILATE:  "Art  thou  then  the  King  of  the  Jews?" 

CHRIST:  "Thou  sayest  it." 


TABLEAU  TWO 

THE  SAME  WITH  GROUPS  CHANGED 

(The  Saviour,  with  Crown  of  Thorns  on  His  Brow,  Being  Led  Away.) 

ALL:  "Hail,  King  of  the  Jews! 

Now  away  with  Him  and 
Crucify  Him!" 


EPOCH  THE  FIFTH—  Cmtinwd 


TABLEAU  ONE 

THE  ROAD  TO  CALVARY 

(Scene  in  Two) 
(Scene  is  barely  disclosed  in  the  dimly  lit  stage.  Figures  cross  stage  slowly.) 

VOICE:  It  is  over!  He  hath  been  crucified,  He  that  was 

King  of  the  Jews. 

ANOTHER  And  what  did  the  High  Priest  say,  and  the  scribes? 

VOICE:  They  said:  "He  saved  others;  Himself  He  cannot 

save!" 

ANOTHER  But  remember  what  the  Centurion  said! 

VOICE: 
VOICE:  He  said:  "Truly  this  was  the  Son  of  God!" 

ANOTHER  For  when  He  gave  up  the  ghost,  and  cried  out  with 

VOICE:  a  loud  voice,  then  the  Veil  of  the  Temple  was  rent 

in  twain  from  the  top  to  the  bottom,  and  the  earth 
did  quake. 

ANOTHER  And  the  graves  were  opened  and  the  bodies  of  the 

VOICE:  Saints  which  slept  arose. 

(Person  enters  breathlessly.) 

VOICE  (4)  :  And  now  Joseph  of  Arimathsea  hath  His  body. 

ALL:  Joseph,  who  was  ever  a  wise  and  a  good  man. 


VOICE  (4): 

FIRST 
VOICE: 

VOICE: 


SEVERAL 
VOICES: 
ALL: 


And  with  Nicodemus  he  will  wind  the  body  of 
Jesus  in  linen  with  spices,  and  He  is  to  be  laid  in  a 
new  sepulchre  where  never  a  man  was  laid  before. 

And  so  they  crucified  the  One  who  came  to  save 
that  which  was  lost.  Yet  remember  it  hath  been 
said,  "They  shall  look  on  Him  whom  they  pierced." 

He  hath  paid  the  price  for  the  whole  world,  having 
given  His  flesh  for  all  mankind.  He  whom  the 
Heavens  will  retain  until  the  Restitution  of  all 
things  that  hath  been  spoken  of  by  Holy  Prophets 
since  the  world  began  will  be  manifested  in  due 
time. 

(Judas  enters.) 
It  is  Judas!  For  shame! 


For  shame!  Judas  who  betrayed  his  Master! 

JUDAS    (groaning): 

I  betrayed  Him  with  a  kiss;  I  betrayed  Him  with 
a  kiss.  Let  me  pass! 


VOICE: 

JUDAS: 
VOICE: 
JUDAS: 


Draw  aside  all  and  let  him  pass!  Let  no  one's  gar 
ment  be  polluted  with  the  touch  of  this  man! 

I  go  now  to  my  death! 

Then  let  him  pass  the  quicker! 

Aye!  The  quicker  I  go  the  better!  It  was  I  that  did 
betray  the  Master! 


END  OF  EPOCH  THE   FIFTH 


Characters,  in  Cpocf)  tfje  ^t 
£ 

MARY  MAGDALENE 

MARY  THE  MOTHER 

TWO  ANGELS  IN  VISION 


— ^ 


EPOCH  THE  SIXTH 

i 

Tomb  consisting  of  huge  rocks  on  left  of  stage  and  set  stone  in  front. 


Stage  darkens  ............  Rock,  scrim  lights  up,  revealing  Angels 

guarding  Tomb. 

Stage  is  lit,  vision  of  Angels  fades. 


Mary  Magdalene  and  Mary  the  Mother  enter, 
bearing  white  linen  and  spices. 

MARY  Here  he  lieth,  and  now  we  will  anoint  His  body; 

MAGDALENE:    but  how  shall  we  roll  the  stone  away? 

(They  lay  linen  and  incense  on  ground.) 

We  will  summon  some  who  shall  help  us,  that  the 
stone  being  rolled  away,  we  may  be  blessed  in  the 
fulfillment  of  our  wish  to  anoint  the  body  of  the 
Lord. 

(Stage  grows  dark.:  scrim  lights  up,  revealing  Angels.) 
He  is  not  here! 


CHORUS  OF  FEMALE  VOICES  OFF  STAGE 


He  is  risen  ! 

He  is  risen! 
He  hath  left  this  earthly  sod; 

He  hath  gone  unto  His  Father: 
He  hath  gone  to  God! 


His  sufferings  are  over; 

He  dwelleth  now  in  peace, 
To  await  in  Heaven  the  coming  day, 

When  Sin  itself  shall  cease. 


Then  ye  who  loved  Him  weep  no  more, 
In  this  your  earthly  prison ; 

But  the  tiding  tell  o'er  sea  and  shore,— 
He  is  risen, 

He  is  risen ! 


END  OF  EPOCH  THE   SIXTH 


,  EPOCH  THE  SEVENTH 

i 

THE  CONGRESS  OF  RELIGIONS 

* 

Character* 

DOCTOR  DARIUS     •     The  Jewish  Representative  at  the  Congress 

of  Religions 

BARON  STURM    •     The  German  Representative  at  the  Congress 

of  Religions 

LORD  DARTHMUNNING      •     The  English  Representative  at 

the  Congress  of  Religions 

ALEXANDER  PALOVITCH     •     The  Russian  Representative  at 

the  Congress  of  Religions 

MARY  DARIUS     •     Wife  of  Doctor  Darius 

RUTH  DARIUS     •     Their  Daughter 

SOFIA  PALOVITCH     -     Wife  of  Alexander  Palovitcb 

FATHER  LONG     •     A  Friend  of  Doctor  Darius 


TIME     •     1950 
SCENE     •     Jerusalem 


34 


SCENE  ONE 


SCENE  TWO 


Study  in  Doctor  Darius'  House,  Jemsalem. 
Early  Afternoon. 

•     Ante-Room  in  the  Convention  Hall. 
Late  Afternoon. 


SCENE  THREE 


Hall  of  the  Congress  of  Religions. 
Twilight. 


SCENE  ONE:       Study  in  Doctor  Darius'  House.  (Well-filled  bookcases— 

•maps  and  charts  on  walls.) 

(Doctor  sits  in  easy-chair  by  reading  table,  with  small 
volume  in  his  hand.) 

DOCTOR:  How  splendidly  expressed!  How  direct!  This  little 

volume  overflows  with  the  truth.  What  can  be 
better  expressed  than  this? 

(Reads.) 

"We  have  seen  the  storm  gathering  for  years  past: 
The  mighty  hosts  have  been  preparing  for  the 
battle,  and  each  year  witnesses  more  rapid  strides  of 
progress  towards  the  foretold  crisis.  Although  we 
know  that  unparalleled  disaster  must  soon  dash  all 
law  and  order  into  the  abyss  of  anarchy  and  con 
fusion,  we  do  not  fear,  for  God  is  our  refuge  and 
strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble." 

(He  lays  book  down.) 

And  so  on  the  eve  of  a  war  that  has  threatened  to 
devastate  and  disorganize  the  entire  world  the  Con 
gress  of  Religions  is  held  here  in  Jerusalem,  and  we 


— *£ 


feel  that  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very 
present  help  in  trouble. 

(Father  Long  enters.) 
Ah,  good  evening,  Father! 

LONG:  I  have  just  left  the  hall.  The  fifth  day  of  the  Con 

gress  of  Religions  sees  the  different  representatives 
at  odds  with  each  other. 

DOCTOR:  And  the  mooted  question  still  far  from  being 

solved? 

LONG:  The  mooted  question  shall  Palestine  be  given  to  the 

Jews? 

DOCTOR:  Why,  oh  why  can't  this  question  be  solved? 

(Paces  the  floor  nervously.) 

Let  us  consider  to  what  situation  this  Congress  of 
Religions  owes  its  birth.  At  a  meeting  of  ambassa 
dors  of  every  nation  in  the  world,  England,  on 
behalf  of  the  Jewish  people,  offered  Turkey  an 
almost  fabulous  price  for  Palestine. 

LONG:  Fabulous  indeed!  Sixty  million  dollars! 

DOCTOR:  Turkey  declined  the  offer, — and  why? 

LONG:  Ask  Russia  that! 

DOCTOR:  And  ask  India  also! 

LONG:  India  also, — India  ready  at  the  twinkling  of  an  eye 


to  renounce  allegiance  to  the  British  Empire,  aided 
and  abetted  by  Russia. 

DOCTOR:  With  Germany  also  in  league  with  Russia,  Eng 

land's  old  enemy — tho'  her  royal  blood  is  mainly 
derived  from  the  Fatherland. 

LONG:  Reviewing  the  situation:  Yes,  the  gauntlet  of  war 

was  thrown  down  by  the  United  Powers  of  Russia, 
Germany,  Turkey  and  the  Indian  Empire — all 
allied  against  England. 

DOCTOR:  England   seemingly   alone.    For  France   remained 

neutral — as  did  most  of  the  smaller  countries.  Eng 
land  seemingly  alone,  paralyzed  with  the  prospect 
of  a  war  that  would  crush  her  for  a  certainty;  but 
not  alone,  for  the  Great  United  States  stepped  in 
then  and  said,  "We  are  with  England!" 

LONG:  So  at  that  juncture  the  Powers  halted.  Still  Turkey 

would  not  sell  Palestine  that  it  might  be  restored  to 
the  Jews;  because  even  at  this  late  day  Russia's 
hatred  of  the  Jews  is  more  potent  than  ever. 

DOCTOR:  Then  at  the  suggestion  of  France,  it  was  decided  the 

question  should  be  settled  peaceably,  if  possible. 
The  Congress  of  Religions  took  the  matter  up. 

LONG:  And  evidently  the  Congress  of  Religions  will  lay 

the  matter  down;  for  Russia's  representative  and 
Turkey's  representative  and  the  Buddhist  from  the 
Indian  Empire  will  agree  with  none  but  themselves. 
Therefore,  the  most  fearful  war  in  the  history  of 
the  world  seems  inevitable. 


DOCTOR:  But  mark  my  words — war  or  no  war — the  Jews 

will  come  into  their  own!  The  Lord's  promise  to 
Abraham  will  be  fulfilled.  Palestine  sooner  or  later 
will  belong  to  the  Jews. 

LONG:  And  after  that? 

DOCTOR:  The  establishment  in  its  perfect  form — the  King 

dom  of  the  Lord. 

LONG:  The  Redemption  of  Man! 

DOCTOR:  Aye!  The  Redemption  of  Man! 

(Ruth  enters.) 
RUTH:  Good  evening,  Father  Long. 

(Takes  his  hand.) 
Do  I  intrude? 

DOCTOR:  My  daughter,  intrude?  Come  and  kiss  me,  child, 

and  the  kiss  shall  be  your  answer. 

(Ruth  comes  to  her  father  and  kisses  him.) 
DOCTOR:  (Taking  papers  off  desk.) 

I  forget  the  name  of  Russia's  representative  at  the 
Congress  of  Religions. 

LONG:  Alexander  Palovitch. 

DOCTOR:  Alexander  Palovitch? 

RUTH:  (Aside.) 

Alexander  Palovitch  here — here  in  Jerusalem? 
(Leans  against  table.) 


DOCTOR:  What's  the  matter,  Ruth,  aren't  you  well? 

RUTH:  It's  the  heat — the  heat!  I  will  go  to  my  room  and 

lie  down. 

(Crosses  to  door.) 

DOCTOR:  Do,  my  dear  child,  you  seem  to  be  ailing. 

RUTH:  (Aside.) 

After  seven  years — Alexander  Palovitch  here  .... 
after  seven  years! 

(Exits  door  R.) 
DOCTOR:  (Taking  up  papers.) 

Ah,  here  it  is,  but  the  name  of  Russia's  representa 
tive  is  not  Palovitch,  it  is  Count  Polosko. 

LONG:  Who  died  here  in  Jerusalem  the  third  day.  Alex 

ander  Palovitch,  hastily  summoned  from  St.  Peters 
burg,  took  his  place  in  the  Congress  this  morning. 

DOCTOR:  Well.  The  finality  of  death  is  finality  indeed.  Say, 

Father  Long,  will  you  walk  over  to  the  Hall  with 
me?  I  fancy  I  should  like  to  hear  a  little  of  the 
debating. 

LONG:  Very  well,  but  do  not  expect  to  see  Palovitch  there. 

DOCTOR:  And  why  not? 

LONG:  He  and  the  Buddhist  fanatic  were  told  to  stay  away 

till  the  morning. 

DOCTOR:  Indeed? 


LONG: 

DOCTOR: 
LONG: 


RUTH: 


MARY: 
RUTH: 
MARY: 


Their  antagonism  to  the  point  at  issue  upsets  the 
other  members  to  such  an  extent  that  the  others 
are  trying  to  devise  a  solution  independent  of  them. 

Still  if  Palovitch,  as  Russia's  representative,  will 
not  agree,  of  what  avail  is  it? 

Of  course  Palovitch  will  agree  to  nothing.  Russia's 
instructions  to  him  are  not  to  agree.  Russia  wants 
the  war — particularly  since  she  feels  the  Indian 
Empire  will  be  her  ally. 

(Exeunt  both  L.) 

(R^ltb  enters  L.  cautiously,  crosses  to  R.  door,  watches 
Doctor  and  Long  exeunt  till  the  street  door  is  heard  to 
close.) 

So  Palovitch  is  here,  he  of  all  men!  He  was  sup 
posed  to  be  dead,  and  he  is  not  dead,  but  here  in 
Jerusalem.  Palovitch,  the  wretch,  who  under  cover 
of  soft  words  and  fine  promises,  broke  my  heart  and 
ruined  my  life! — Sometimes  I  think  it  would  have 
been  better  for  me  to  have  told  my  mother  and 
father;  tho'  my  father  would  have  killed  me,  as  he 
would  now  kill  Palovitch,  did  he  know  who  he  is. 

(Mary  Darius  enters  L.  with  tray  containing  tea  and 
toast.) 

So  your  Father  has  gone? 
He  just  left,  Mother. 

It's  a  pity  I  missed  him.  He  has  scarcely  broken  his 
fast  all  day.  I  wonder,  dear,  if  the  Congress  of 
Religions  will  settle  the  vexed  question,  or  if  there 
will  be  war. 


RUTH: 


MARY: 
RUTH: 
MARY: 

RUTH: 
MARY: 


DOCTOR: 


War,  war,  let  it  come! 

(Aside.) 
There  is  no  peace  here;  no  rest  here! 

(Placing  her  hand  to  her  heart.) 
Come  war  and  welcome! 
Ruth — my  daughter — you  are  agitated! 
It  is  nothing. 
Will  you  have  a  cup  of  tea? 

(Pours  cup  of  tea.) 
No,  thank  you,  Mother. 

Then  I'll  take  a  cup.  Oh,  Ruth,  can  you  imagine 
if  we  only  get  Palestine  what  a  beautiful  thing  it 
will  be, — our  race  re-united  in  our  promised  land! 
Oh,  daughter,  I  pray  nightly  that  it  may  be! 

(Doctor  Darius  enters  breathlessly.) 

Ah,  Mary,  dear, — you  see  I  am  out  of  breath!  On 
the  way  to  the  Hall  I  met  a  messenger  with  a  note 
for  me.  It  seems  the  hotels  are  all  overcrowded,— 
there  are  not  sufficient  accommodations  for  even 
the  families  of  our  envoys.  It  seems  that  the  wife 
of  the  Russian  envoy  Palovitch  has  followed  her 
husband  here.  He  is  occupying  a  makeshift  of  a 
room  at  the  hotel  and  simply  must  let  his  wife 
occupy  quarters  elsewhere.  The  president  in  this 
note  asks  me  if  I  can  accommodate  her  here. 


MARY: 
RUTH: 

MARY: 
DOCTOR: 

RUTH: 
MARY: 

DOCTOR: 


MARY: 

DOCTOR; 

RUTH: 

DOCTOR; 

RUTH: 

DOCTOR: 


MARY: 


Why,  of  course,  dear. 
No,  no! 

Ruth!  Why  do  you  object? 


I — don't- 


>bject. 


Even  a  woman  from  the  land  of  our  enemies  will 
be  welcome.  It  is  the  Lord's  will! 

Very  good,  that's  settled  then.  By  the  bye — the 
name — Palovitch — seems  familiar.  Do  you  re 
member,  Mary,  when  you  and  I  went  to  London 
and  left  Ruth  with  some  friends  in  Paris, — didn't 
she  write  something  about  meeting  a  pleasant 
young  man  by  the  name  of  Palovitch? 

Better  ask  Ruth  that  question. 
Eh,  Ruth? 

(Merely  looks  at  father,  but  does  not  answer.) 
You  never  met  a  man  by  the  name  of  Palovitch? 

No. 

(Laughing.) 

How  dramatic  you  are,  child!  I  didn't  know  but 
that  in  those  earlier  years  of  your  maidenhood  you 
might  have  toyed  with  his  affections  or  broken  his 
heart. 

Or  he  might  have  broken  hers,  eh,  Ruth? 


— ^ 


DOCTOR: 


RUTH: 
MARY: 
RUTH: 
MARY: 


RUTH: 
MARY: 
RUTH: 

MARY: 


Come,  that's  funny.  The  idea  of  any  man  breaking 
Ruth's  heart! 

(Mary  and  Doctor  laugh.) 

Well,  I'll  tell  the  President  that  we  will  accommo 
date  the  wife  of  Alexander  Palovitch, — for  the 
night  at  least. 

(Exits  L.) 

Mother,  I'm  going  to  my  room  and  lie  down. 
Very  well,  dear.  I'm  sorry  you  are  not  feeling  well. 
You  won't  mind,  mother  dear? 

Certainly  not,  child, — oh,  wait  a  moment!  If  this 
lady  comes,  whose  room  shall  she  have?  Our  bed 
rooms  are  so  few!  Shall  I  give  her  mine  and  share 
yours  with  you,  or  shall  she  have  yours  and  you 
occupy  mine  with  me? 

She  shall  not  sleep  in  my  room! 
Ruth,  why  are  you  so  cross? 

Never  mind,  mother.  Put  her  in  whichever  room 
you  like.  It  is  nothing  to  me — nothing! 

You  need  a  rest,  child.  You  are  not  yourself  today. 
I'll  amuse  myself  in  the  meantime. 

(Takes  up  book  off  fable.) 

Tho'  I've  read  every  book  in  the  room,  I  can  read 
them  again. 


— ^ 


MARY: 


DOCTOR: 
MADAME  P. 


(Ruth  exits  L.) 

(Mary  reads  a  jew  seconds  in  silence.) 
This  is  comfort,  indeed! 

(Reads.) 

"Thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  Behold,  O  my  people, 
I  will  open  graves  and  cause  you  to  come  up  out 
of  your  graves,  and  bring  you  into  the  land  of 
Israel.  And  ye  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord, 
when  I  have  opened  your  graves,  and  shall  put  my 
spirit  in  you,  and  ye  shall  live,  and  I  shall  place 
you  in  your  own  land " 

(Looking  up  from  book.) 

Your  own  land! 

(Reads.) 

"Then  shall  ye  know  that  I  the  Lord  have  spoken 
it,  and  performed  it,  saith  the  Lord" 

(She  closes  the  book.) 
So  it  is  to  be!  So  it  is  sure  to  be! 
(L.  door  opens.  Doctor  and  Mme.  Palovitch  enter.) 

I'm  back  quickly,  eh,  my  dear?  I  present  Madame 
Palovitch — my  wife,  Mary,  Madame. 

And  here  I  am  to  sojourn  temporarily!  Well,  I  sup 
pose  beggars  can't  be  choosers. 

(Doctor  looks  at  his  wife.  Both  are  apparently  astonished 
at  Mme.  Palovitch's  rudeness.) 


— «£  44  $ — 


DOCTOR:  (Aside  to  his  wife.) 

Perhaps  she  doesn't  mean  to  be  uncivil. 
MARY:  I  hope  not. 

MADAME  P. :       And  where  do  I  sleep?— 

(Indicating  lounge.) 

Here? 

MARY:  Why,  no! 

MADAME  P.:  (Indicating  table.) 

Then  surely  not  on  this — or  in  here; 

(Opening  door  of  cupboard.) 
or  perhaps  in  here! 

( Indicating  fi  replace. ) 

DOCTOR:  Madame  Palovitch,  we  of  course  will  tender  you  a 

bedroom. 

MADAME  P.:  Indeed!  I  will  sleep  in  a  bedroom!  But  excuse  me 
for  seeming  strange.  Let  me  confess  I  am  somewhat 
peculiar. 

DOCTOR:  Indeed  no,  you  are  not  peculiar. 

MADAME  P.:  Am  I  not?  I  rather  fancied  I  might  be — peculiar. 
Still  all  the  same,  forgive  me, — I  am  a  married 
woman,  and  married  women  have  so  much  to 
endure. 

(To  Mary.) 

Don't  they? 


— ^ 


DOCTOR: 


RUTH: 


DOCTOR: 


MARY: 


RUTH: 
MARY: 


(Aside.) 
Come  to  reconsider  the  matter,  she  is  peculiar. 

(Ruth  enters  L.) 
(Presenting  Ruth.) 

My  daughter  Ruth,  Madame  Palovitch. 
(Ruth  bows.) 

(Aside.) 
His  wife! 

Well,  having  performed  my  duty,  I  must  be  back 
at  the  Hall.  I  shall  hope  to  see  you  later,  Madame 
Palovitch. 

(Bows  and  exits  R.) 

Your  pardon,  Madame,  but  we  wish  to  please  you, 
and  yet  it  will  be,  I  fear,  difficult. 

(To  Ruth.) 

Shall  Madame  Palovitch  occupy  your  room  or 
mine? 

Yours,  Mother;  I  told  you  that  before. 

I  think  that  would  be  the  better  way.  I'll  take  out 
a  few  of  my  things  and  put  them  in  your  room, 
dear. 

(To  Mme.  P.) 

Pardon  me,  but  we  were  arranging  how  to  make  you 
comfortable.  I  will  leave  you  with  my  daughter  for 
a  few  moments. 


(Exits  L.) 

(Madame  paces  up  and  down  the  room  nervously y  Ruth 
watching  her.) 

MADAMEP.:  I  shall  die  of  ennui  in  this  hole. 

RUTH:  Do  you  refer  to  our  home? 

MADAMEP.:  I  beg  your  pardon,  you  were  not  supposed  to  hear. 

RUTH:  This  is  our  home. 

MADAMEP.:       Yes,  yes. 

(Yawns.  Half  concealing  her  yawns  with  a  fan.) 
(Mme.  sits.) 

Well,  child,  I  understand  the  momentous  question 
will  be  settled  tonight.  Are  the  Jews  to  occupy 
Palestine?  Is  the  Promised  Land  to  become  a  reality 
at  last? 

RUTH:  I  hope  we  will  come  into  our  own. 

MADAME  P.:       Oh,  to  be  sure!  You  are  a  Jewess? 
RUTH:  Yes. 

MADAMEP.:  My  husband,  Alexander  Palovitch,  does  not  like 
the  Jews.  Nor  do  I — that  is  to  say,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  those  Jews  under  whose  roof  I  am  now.— 
My  husband  is  a  very  handsome  man,  child. 

(Opening  locket  that  is  suspended  on  long  chain  hanging 
from  her  neck.} 

Come,  look  at  his  picture. 


RUTH: 
MADAME  P. 


RUTH: 
MADAME  P. 

RUTH: 

MADAME  P. 

RUTH: 
MADAME  P. 


RUTH: 


No,  thank  you. 

(Extending  locket  to  her.) 

Don't  be  timid.  Such  a  handsome  face  might  please 
the  fancy  of  an  attractive  girl  like  you.  For  you  are 
attractive, — even  for  a  Jewess. 

(Walking  away.) 

I  do  not  care  to  see  your  husband's  picture. 
Oh,  nonsense!  Now,  I  insist  that  you  shall  see  it. 

(follows  after  Ruth,  holding  locket  towards  her.) 

Look  at  him! 

(Fiercely.) 

I  don't  want  to  look. 

To  be  refused  like  this  by  a  Jewess!  I — a  Russian! 
Pshaw! 

Yes,  I  will  look  at  your  husband's  picture. 

Remember  you  are  looking  at  him;  he  is  not  look 
ing  at  you. 

(Ruth  suddenly  seizes  locket.  Jerking  it  free  of  chain, 
throws  it  across  room.) 

Insolence!  How  dare  you?  Are  you  insane? 

(Takes  Ruth  by  arm.  Ruth  shakes  herself  free  of  Madame 
and  throws  Madame  aside.) 

Now,  leave  me  alone. 

(Madame  P.  is  stunned  and  bewildered.  Finally  pulls  her 
self  together.  Searches  for  locket  and  finds  it.) 


MADAME  P.:        How  dare  you? 

RUTH:  How  dare  I?  Don't  taunt  me,  that's  all!  We  all  have 

the  demon  of  murder  slumbering  in  our  hearts, — 
that  demon — murder — is  wide  awake  in  me  at  this 
moment. 

MADAME  P. :  (After  a  pause.) 

Perhaps  I  said  too  much. 

(Looking  at  Kiith  curiously.) 

Heavens,  I  didn't  know  a  Jewess  could  have  so 
much  spirit! 

(Mme.  P.  sits.) 

Come,  don't  let's  be  angry. 
RUTH:  Then  don't  taunt  me. 

MADAME  P. :  Tomorrow,  Heaven  willing,  my  husband  and  I  will 
be  on  the  train  leaving  Jerusalem.  For  though  they 
remain  in  session  all  tonight,  the  Congress  of  Re 
ligions  is  in  the  last  hours  of  its  meeting.  To 
morrow,  I  fancy,  the  nations  will  know  that  the 
Jewish  issue  cannot  be  settled  peaceably,  and  it  will 
be  war, — big,  cruel,  merciless,  ravenous,  raving 
war. 

RUTH:  And  how  do  you  know  it  will  be  war? 

MADAME  P.:  Ah!  That  is  perhaps  a  political  secret,  but  I  will 
answer  you.  You  shall  know  the  secret.  Russia's 
representative  at  this  Congress — my  husband- 
has  his  positive  orders  not  to  vote  in  favor  of  the 
Jews  regaining  Palestine, — and  he  will  not  vote 
for  it. 


— «£ 


RUTH:  Then  the  others  should  know  this  and  save  time. 

MADAME  P.:  No,  Russia  must  go  thro'  the  farce  of  seeming  to 
listen. 

RUTH:  So  it  is  a  farce  now? 

MAD  A  ME  P. :  What  else  but  a  farce  to  you  and  me  who  know?  Yet 
that  farce  would  become  a  tragedy  did  my  husband 
vote  for  the  Jews. 

RUTH:  A  tragedy? 

MADAME  P.:  Aye,  a  tragedy!  For  did  he  prove  a  traitor  to  the 
Czar's  instructions,  his  reward  would  be  death. 

RUTH:  Does  he  know  this? 

MADAME  P.:  Of  course,  and  this  I  know.  Did  Alexander  by  any 
freak  of  impulse  vote  contrary  to  the  Czar's  wishes, 
I  simply  would  keep  him  out  of  Russia.  Yet  one  can 
never  tell;  there  may  be  a  secret  agent  watching 
him  even  in  the  Hall. 

RUTH:  That  could  hardly  be;   none  but  members   are 

present. 

MADAME  P.:  Still,  you  can't  tell.  A  Russian  secret  agent  might 
be  there  as  the  door-tender,  as  the  usher,  perhaps, — 
but  I  don't  think  so. 

RUTH:  And  you  and  your  husband  are  very  happy? 

MADAME  P.:  Very,  very  happy.  He  is  a  careless,  reckless  sort  of 
a  man — (suddenly) — but  I  am  talking  too  famil 
iarly  with  you. 

RUTH:  It  would  only  balance  your  previous  insolence. 


MADAME  P. :       Ah,  you're  still  touchy! 

RUTH:  (Fingering  revolver. ) 

Would  your  husband  do  anything  you  requested 
of  him? 

MADAME  P.:       Of  course  he  would! 

(Utters  a  scream.) 
Good  Heavens!  What  are  you  doing  with  that? 

RUTH:  Nothing. 

(Lays  it  on  table.) 

MADAME  P.:  My  husband  and  I  love  each  other  very  dearly — I 
have  had  no  previous  affair,  nor  has  he — at  least 
nothing  to  speak  of. 

(During  dialogue  Mme.  P.  tries  to  take  pistol  off  table, 
but  Ruth  prevents  her.) 

RUTH:  And  he  would  do  anything  you  ask? 

MADAME  P.:       Why,  of  course,  child! 

RUTH:  I  believe  you  said  that  neither  he  nor  you  had  had 

any  previous  love  affairs? 

MADAME  P.:  I  said  he  had  had  one — but  nothing  worth  speak 
ing  of. 

RUTH:  And  why  not  worth  speaking  of? 

MADAME  P.:  Because  it  isn't.  I  hardly  know  what  it  was,  to  tell 
the  truth, — but  it  was  some  little  affair  with  a 
Jewess — no  offense,  child,  a  Jewess. 

RUTH:  A  Jewess  loved  your  husband? 


MADAME  P.:  I  don't  know  just  what  the  situation  was.  She  was 
a  little  toy  for  him  in  his  foolish  days, — a  little  toy. 
Still,  what  else  could  a  Jewess — a  Jewess  of  all 
women — expect  to  be  with  such  a  man  as  my  hus 
band! 

RUTH:  Do  you  see  the  paper  and  ink  in  front  of  you  ? 

MADAME  P.:       And  pray,  what  have  I  to  do  with  paper  and  ink? 

RUTH:  A  great  deal. 

(Covers  Mme.  P.  with  revolver.) 
MADAME  P.:       What  do  you  mean? 
RUTH:  Keep  cool,  I  beg  of  you.  I  have  a  favor  to  request. 

MADAME  P.:  You  want  my  autograph,  perhaps?  But  why  the 
revolver  leveled  at  me?  I  don't  understand. 

RUTH:  You  do  not  need  to  understand.  Do  as  I  say — write! 

MADAME  P. :  (Taking  up  pen.) 

This  is  unusual. 

RUTH:  But  necessary.  By  the  way,  as  a  word  of  introduc 

tion, — your  husband  will  do  anything  you  ask? 

MADAME  P.:       Er— yes! 

RUTH:  Write— "My  dear  Husband." 

MADAME  P.:  (Writing.) 

"My  dear  Husband." 
RUTH:  "There  is  something  that  weighs  heavily  on  my 


MADAME  P. 


RUTH: 


RUTH: 


MADAME  P. 


RUTH: 


MARY: 


conscience.  I  refer  to  the  episode  in  your  past  life 
with  the  Jewess." 

I'll  write  no  such  thing. 

(Throws  down  pen.) 

Take  up  that  pen! 

(Mme.  P.  reluctantly  does  so.) 

Write  as  I  tell  you !  Falter  again  for  one  second,  and 
I  shall  kill  you! 

(Mme.  P.  writes  as  Ruth  dictates.) 

"I  want  you  to  vote  in  favor  of  the  Jews  at  to 
night's  session.  Do  not  be  afraid  of  the  con 
sequence,  for  we  need  never  return  to  Russia. 
Therefore,  join  with  the  others  so  that  an  arrange 
ment  with  Turkey  may  be  made,  and  the  Jews 
regain  Palestine.  By  doing  this  you  will,  in  a 
measure,  atone  for  the  wrong  you  did  that  Jewish 
woman  before  you  married  me."  Now  sign  it! 

(Takes  paper  off  desk  and  looks  at  it.) 

And    now,    my    blackmailing    friend,    are    you 
through? 

(Mary  enters.) 

Not  quite.  Mother,  come  here, — quickly!  Sit  here! 
(Places  Mary  in  chair  opposite  Mme.  P.) 

Hold  this  revolver  so.  Do  not  let  that  woman  stir 
from  this  room  till  I  return. 

Ruth,  you  frighten  me.  What  does  this  mean? 


— * 


MADAME  P.: 
RUTH: 


Yes,  what  does  it  mean?  Is  she  mad? 

Keep  that  revolver  leveled  at  her  head,  Mother.  I 
go  to  the  Congress  of  Religions  with  this  paper  to 
Alexander  Palovitch, — the  paper  that  instructs 
him  to  vote  for  our  rightful  cause.  Years  ago, 
Mother,  a  fawning  wretch  broke  your  daughter's 
heart — used  your  daughter  as  a  toy, — a  little  toy. 
The  wretch  who  broke  your  daughter's  heart  was 
Alexander  Palovitch, — this  woman's  husband. 

TABLEAU 
DARK  STAGE 


SCENE  TWO:  Ante-Room  in  the  Convention  Hall  of  the 

Congress  of  Religions 

(Doctor  Darius  enters  with  Baron  Sturm.) 

DOCTOR:  Come,  Baron,  the  Congress  will  soon  adjourn  for 

another  five  years.  Let  at  least  one  good  deed  be 
credited  to  the  Congress  of  Religions.  Let  the  na 
tions  avert  a  fearful  war.  Let  the  Jews  re-enter 
Palestine. 

BARON:  Pm  not  preventing  them. 

DOCTOR:  But  you  are!  If  you  vote  with  the  Jews,  we'll  bring 

Turkey  around;  and  then  Russia  will  stand  alone 
in  her  opposition. 

BARON:  What  about  the  Indian  Empire? 


— ^ 


DOCTOR: 


PALOVITCH; 
DOCTOR: 

PALOVITCH; 


DOCTOR: 


PALOVITCH: 
BARON: 

DOCTOR: 
BARON: 


The  Indian  Empire  has  not  renounced  loyalty  to 
England  as  yet, — nor  is  it  likely  to,  if  your  country 
comes  to  its  senses.  Russia  by  herself  dare  not  fight 
England  and  the  United  States. 

(Palovitch  entering.) 
Russia  dare  do  anything. 

True,  Russia  has  dared  to  persecute  the  Jews  in  its 
dominions  from  time  immemorial.  Noble  Russia! 

Unless  every  representative  votes  in  favor  of  the 
issue,  the  issue  is  lost.  It  was  expressly  decreed  by 
the  Powers,  great  and  small,  that  if  their  represen 
tatives  could  not  all  agree,  then  the  question  should 
be  decided,  as  originally  planned,  on  the  battlefields 
of  the  world. 

Very  well,  Palovitch.  Then  let  us  suppose  the  ques 
tion  comes  down  to  cannon,  soldiers,  artillery, 
cavalry,  torpedoes,  et  cetera,  Great  Britain  can  blow 
your  little  navy  into  "smithereens,"  and  the  United 
States  can  wipe  your  army  off  the  earth.  Talk  sense, 
Palovitch,  not  bombast. 

Russia  will  not  be  alone  as  you  suppose, — first,  we 
will  have  Germany  .... 

You  will  not  have  Germany.  I  vote  with  the  Jews! 
I  don't  care  if  the  Kaiser  banishes  me  from  the 
Fatherland. 

What's  that,  Baron?  You  really  mean  it? 

Of  course.  I've  been  a  dunderheaded  blockhead  to 
be  so  obstinate.  Why  shouldn't  the  Jews  do  what 


DOCTOR: 
BARON: 


PALOVITCH: 


DOCTOR: 

PALOVITCH: 
DOCTOR: 

PALOVITCH; 

DOCTOR: 

PALOVITCH: 


they  please?  Go  where  they  please?  Live  where  they 
please? 

Will  you  announce  your  decision  to  the  others? 

Certainly! 

(Crosses  -with  Doctor  to  L.) 

To  Palestine  with  the  Jews  and  to  Russia  with  the 
Russians. 

(Exits  L.  with  Doctor.) 

They  don't  know.  They  don't  know.  Our  secret 
agents  scattered  in  every  nook  and  corner  of  the 
Indian  Empire  only  await  word  from  us,  and 
backed  by  our  army,  they  renounce  allegiance  to 
England  in  a  night.  I  know  what  I  know. 

(Tumultuous  cheers  off  L.  Interval.  More  cheers.  Doctor 
re-enters.) 

You  stand  alone,  Palovitch.  Germany  is  with  us; 
then,  the  next  moment,  Turkey  ignored  her  prom 
ise  to  your  Czar,  and  her  member  swore  he  was  with 
the  Jews  to  the  death.  You  stand  alone,  Palovitch. 

Then,  I  stand  alone. 

(Cheers  off  L.) 

Palovitch,  don't  be  obstinate.  What  else  can  you  do 
but  capitulate? 

I  will  never  be  with  you. 

Then  we'll  make  you. 

Bah!  Make  a  Russian  do  anything?  You  don't  know 


DOCTOR: 
PALOVITCH: 

PALOVITCH: 


DOCTOR: 
PALOVITCH: 


us!  You  weary  me  with  your  platitudes.  I  beg  of 
you  not  to  tire  me  further.  By  sunrise  the  Congress 
of  Religions  session  terminates — my  wife  and  I 
return  to  St.  Petersburg — and  then — will  come — 
History. 

(Tremendous  cheers  off  L.  Doctor  exits  and  re-enters.) 

France,  hitherto  neutral,  cables  that  tho*  she  has 
no  representative  here,  she  takes  sides  with  the  Jews. 

And  what  is  France? 

(Messenger  enters.  Gives  Palovitch  a  letter.  He  reads  it, 
becomes  violently  agitated  and  leans  against  table.) 

(Aside.) 

What  can  my  wife  mean?  This  letter  must  be  a 
hoax!  To  vote  for  the  Jews  means  my  death!  Why 
does  she  request  it?  What  can  she  mean?  I  cannot 
do  it — and  yet,  she  asks  it. 

Bad  news,  Palovitch? 

No!  No! 

(Walks  up  and  down  much  agitated.) 
(Aside.) 

I  cannot  do  it!  I  cannot  do  it!  And  yet  she  says  I 
must.  This  letter  is  a  hoax — or  something  is  wrong. 

(Calls.) 

Doctor!  My  intellect  is  paralyzed  with  the  sudden 
ness  of  this  shock.  My  wife,  to  whom  I  can  refuse 
nothing, — she,  my  wife, — wants  me — to — vote— 
for — the —  —Jews.  Read! 


DOCTOR: 


PALOVITCH: 
DOCTOR: 

PALOVITCH: 
DOCTOR: 

PALOVITCH: 


(Gives  Doctor  the  note.) 
(Reading.) 

Your  wife  is  a  humane  and  wise  woman 

(Reads.) 

Palovitch, — I  would  not  have  thought  it  of  you — 
you,  who  profess  to  despise  the  very  word  Jew:  you 
to  have  had  an  affair  with  a  Jewish  woman!  In 
credible!  Impossible! 

Doctor,  I  do  not  know.  I  may  be  assassinated  if  I 
vote  for  the  Jews. 

Coward!  You  must  do  as  she  requests!  Your  con 
science  demands  it — if  nothing  else. 

But  the  assassin  may  know  the  moment  after  I  do 
this, — if  I  do  it. 

Be  a  man!  Be  a  Russian!  Do  what  is  right  and  shame 
the  wrong!  As  she  says  here,  you  need  never  return 
to  Russia. 

(Seizing  letter  from  Doctor.) 

Where  does  she  say  that?  Yes,  I  see!  But  I  can't  do 
it!  Yet  I  must  or  she  will  never  speak  to  me  again — 

and  I  love  her — I  adore  her 1  worship  her!  But 

this  may  have  been  written  under  stress  of  some 
great  excitement:  her  mind  was  temporarily  un 
balanced!  Pll  be  assassinated  any  moment — I'll  be 
assassinated! 

(Looking  at  letter  again — aside.) 
It  comes  back — the  Jewess — her  name — what  was 


her  name?  She  never  did  tell  me  that — all  I  know, 
she  was  called  Ruth. 

(Crushes  letter  in  hand  and  casts  it  across  room.) 
It's  a  practical  joke  of  my  wife's! 

(Laughs  hysterically.) 
But  who  brought  it  here? 

(Shrieks  to  Doctor.) 
I  want  to  know  who  brought  this  note  here? 

(Ruth  entering.) 

RUTH:  I  did,  Alexander  Palovitch. 

PALOVITCH:      Ruth! 

TABLEAU 
DARK  CHANGE  TO 

SCENE  THREE     •     Hall  of  the  Congress  of  Religions. 

(Chairs  of  a  comfortable  leather  arm-chair  pattern.  No  limit  to  number.  But 
each  chair  must  be  occupied  by  a  representative.  Heavily  carpeted  floor.  The 
sole  exit  doors  are  green.  Stage  is  in  half  light.) 

LORD  DARTHMUNNING,  ENGLISH   REPRESENTATIVE, 
OCCUPIES  STANDING  POSITION  ON  DAIS 

LORD  D.:  (Addressing  other  members.) 

Gentlemen,  at  this  juncture  of  the  proceedings,  we 
have  reason  for  congratulations:  Germany  has  ca 
pitulated,  and  is  with  us;  France,  hitherto  neutral, 


announces  her  position  in  the  controversy,  in  no 
uncertain  terms;  Turkey  defies  Russia,  and  joins 
us, — and  now,  who  remains  to  combat  the  great 
question  at  issue,  "Shall  a  persecuted,  but  noble, 
race  be  permitted  to  have  what  is  theirs?"  Gentle 
men,  the  Jews  shall  have  Palestine.  Russia  cannot 
stop  us  now, — no,  not  even  if  the  Indian  Empire 
broke  her  bonds  and  warred  with  Russia  against  us. 
But  we  want  this  matter  arranged  peaceably,  and 
we  need  Russia's  vote.  I  fear  we  shall  not  get  it. 
But  we  can  at  least  feel  that  the  Congress  of  Re 
ligions  has  done  nobly  and  well,  and  I  congratulate 
you  all,  gentlemen,  for  your  splendid  work. 

(Resumes  bis  seat  amid  cheers  and  hand  clapping.) 

(Doctor  Darius  enters  thro*  folding  doors  and  takes  place 
on  dais.) 

DOCTOR:  Gentlemen,  I  am  happy  to  announce  that  the  rep 

resentative  of  Russia,  Alexander  Palovitch,  has 
yielded  to  other  influences,  and  will  now  vote  in 
favor  of  the  transferring  by  Turkey  of  Palestine 
to  the  Jewish  people. 

(Loud  and  terrific  cheers.) 

(Alexander  Palovitch  enters  by  folding  doors,  and  crosses 
nervously  and  hesitatingly  to  the  dais.  As  he  takes  his 
stand  on  the  dais  and  faces  the  others  they  greet  him 
with  hand  clapping.  He  speaks  with  great  hesitation  and 
difficulty.) 

PALOVITCH:      Gentlemen,  perhaps  I  surprise  you — 

(Applause.) 


— ^ 


I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  say — how  to  begin, — how  to 
explain — 

(Baron  interrupts  with  cry  of  "Let  him  vote — never 
mind  speech."  Others  cry:  "Order!") 

I  feel  I  must  say  something — but  it's  hard.  I  am 
going  to  vote  for  the  Jewish  Cause — I  may  be 
wrong — I  hope  I'm  right. 

(Cries  of  "You're  right,  you're  right!"  Electric  lights  in 
Hall  are  turned  on.) 

I  am  acting  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  the  country 
I  represent — Russia ;  but  I  cannot  help  it — I  feel  it 
is  my  duty — that  is,  not  duty — no,  I  am  not  in 
sympathy  with  you,  gentlemen!  I  am  doing  this 
because — because — 

(Hesitates.) 

I  cannot  tell  you  why. — No,  I  cannot  explain — I 
will  do  this,  though — I  don't  know  what  will  come 
of  it — but  you  need  my  vote, — it  is  the  only  vote 
you  need  now,  and  I  hereby  give  it. 

(After  a  pause.) 

Members  of  the  Congress  of  Religions,  assembled 
in  Jerusalem:  I,  Alexander  Palovitch,  in  behalf  of 
the  great  country  of  Russia,  do  hereby  proclaim 
Russia  to  be  in  favor  of  and  voting  for  the  sale  of 
Palestine  to  the  Jewish  race. 

(Loud  and  continuing  cheering.  Arm  appears  thro'  hole 
in  green  door  left.  Pistol  is  aimed  at  Palovitch.  Shot  is 
fired.  He  falls  forward  against  stand,  dead.) 

TABLEAU  AND  CURTAIN 


END  OF  EPOCH  THE  SEVENTH 


Jf  our 


EPOCH  THE  EIGHTH 


©aton  of  Ctermtp 


THE  WARS  OF  THE  WORLD 


LORD  CHARLES  KELMORE     •     Commander  in  Chief  of 

the  British  Army 

REVEREND  FRANCIS  DARE     •     An  American  Episco 
palian  Minister 

EGLANTINE     •     Lord  Kelmore's  Daughter 
DAVIS     •     His  Secretary 


SCENEONE     •     A  Room  in  Buckingham  Palace  (MORNING) 

SCENE  TWO     •     A  Mile  Above  London  (NIGHT) 

SCENE  THREE     •     The  Battle  of  London  (NIGHT) 

TIME     •     The  Year  3000  A.D. 


SCENE  ONE: 


AT  RISE: 


KELMORE: 
DAVIS: 


KELMORE: 


DAVIS: 


(Large  flat  desk,  with  papers,  books,  etc.,  scattered  on  it. 
Telephone  on  desk.  Maps  and  charts  on  walls.  Thro'  the 
windows  evidences  of  London's  devastation.) 

(Lord  Charles  Kelmore  is  busy  at  desk,  writing.  Interval 
of  few  seconds.  Davis  enters  R.  L.,  stands  by  desk,  wait 
ing  till  Kelmore  stops  writing.) 


Davis,  have  you  completed  the  summary? 


Yes,  my  Lord. 


(Reading.) 


"In  the  terrible  attack  of  last  night,  the  Russian  air 
fleet  destroyed  entirely  the  following  British  air 
boats:  The  Eagle,  The  Intrepid,  The  Imperial,  The 
Avalanche.  The  left  wing  of  the  Houses  of  Parlia 
ment  was  entirely  demolished,  and  in  the  fearful 
downpour  of  bombs  and  torpedoes  from  the  giant 
airship  The  Czarina,  London  Bridge  suffered  great 
damage  in  its  supports,  and  scores  of  people  pass 
ing  over  the  bridge  were  hurled  into  the  river." 

Fearful!  But  what  can  we  do  against  the  Russians' 
enormous  air  fleet?  Fools  we  were  not  to  have  an 
ticipated  the  frightful  possibilities  of  aerial  war 
fare. 

(Takes  up  pen  and  writes.) 

Call  up  Japan. 
Yes,  my  Lord. 

(He  adjusts  button  box  near  phone.  Continual  clicking 
and  whirring  is  heard.  Davis  remains  standing  by  phone 


till  clicking  ceases  as  sharp  metallic  bell  strikes  stridently. 
Kelmore  takes  ^lp  receiver.) 

KELMORE:  Ah,  Japan,  this  is  England.  .  .  .  Kelmore  speaking. 
.  .  .  Have  you  made  any  headway  on  Russian  terri 
tory?  (Listens.)  Indeed?  Capital,  capital What? 

Oh,  fearful!  .  .  .  Haven't  you  received  the  reports 
yet?  . .  .  Yes.  .  .  .  We  need  you  badly  here.  .  .  .  Yes, 
fearfully  crippled!  .  .  .  What's  that?  .  .  .  Yes,  the 
new  air  boat  will  be  launched  today?  Better  launch 
it  here.  .  .  .  Yes.  .  .  .  The  biggest  in  the  world?  .  .  . 
It  must  be. ...  I  think  it  can  annihilate  the  Russian 
fleet,  at  least  check  them.  Good,  we  can  expect  re 
lief  at  nightfall.  .  .  .  Fortunately  they  are  out  of 
ammunition,  or  they'd  have  us  at  their  mercy  to 
day All  right.  .  .  .  Good-by,  Japan. 

(Hangs  up  receiver.) 
That  is  news  worth  hearing,  Davis. 
DAVIS:  Indeed,  my  Lord. 

KELMORE:  Can  you  imagine  what  they  did  last  night?  They 

overpowered  the  Russian  troops  in  Siberia,  and  to 
day  the  prisoners  in  Siberia  are  at  liberty?  Can  you 
imagine,  Davis,  with  that  wild  horde  of  Nihilists, 
fanatics,  and  what  not,  at  liberty,  what  may  hap 
pen  now? 

DAVIS:  But  the  freed  prisoners  have  no  arms. 

KELMORE:  Oh,  but  they  have.  The  Jap.  soldiers  armed  every 

man  out  of  their  plentiful  stores.  The  situation  is  a 
tremendous  one, — Russia's  population  long  since 


depleted  by  the  long  sustained  war,  and  the  Siberian 
colony  rampant.  Heaven  pity  Russia  now! 

DAVIS:  Yes,  my  Lord,  Heaven  pity  Russia  there  in  Russia, 

but  here  with  their  enormous  air  fleet  hovering  over 
the  British  Isles,  my  Lord— 

KELMORE:  But  out  of  ammunition,  though  they  will  have 

fresh  supplies  tonight.  But  tonight  The  Kamka,  the 
most  powerful  air  boat  ever  built,  will  be  here  to 
night,  if  Japan  keeps  her  word, — and  she  will,  she 
will.  I  fancy,  Davis,  there  will  be  nothing  left  of 
the  Russian  air  fleet  tomorrow  morning.  And  soon 
our  beloved  country  can  sleep  in  peace  again. 

(Clicking  and  whirring  heard;  metallic  bell  strikes 
harshly  as  before.  Davis  takes  up  receiver.) 

DAVIS:  France  at  the  phone,  my  Lord. 

KELMORE:  (Takes  receiver  from  Davis.) 

Yes,  this  is  Kelmore.  .  .  .  Yes.  .  .  .  Well,  no,  we  are 
not  looking  for  sympathy  ...  we  never  did  yet.  .  .  . 
I  suppose  the  reports  exaggerated  things  somewhat. 
...  I  understand.  .  .  .  No,  all  we  really  need  and  if 
you  have  any,  we'll  buy  the  air  boats.  .  .  .  Yes,  it 
was  unexpected.  .  .  .  Thanks! 

(Hangs  up  receiver.) 

Confound  their  inquisitiveness.  Davis,  Japan's  atti 
tude  to  us  was  practical;  the  rest  simply  look  on, 
hoping  to  see  Russia  lick  us. 

(Tap  at  door.  Davis  comes  to  L.  Ambassador  enters  L. 
Gives  Davis  card.  Kelmore  resumes  writing  at  desk. 
Davis  crosses  to  Lord  K.  Gives  him  card.) 


KELMORE:  The  Reverend  Francis  Dare.  Have  him  wait. 

(Davis  crosses  back  to  Ambassador.  Whispers  to  him. 
Ambassador  exits.) 

KELMORE:  Get  the  United  States,— Washington. 

(Writes.  Davis  waiting  for  further  instructions.) 

The  President,  of  course! 

(Davis  adjusts  button  in  box.  Continued  clicking  and 
whirring  as  before.  Metallic  bell  strikes  harshly.  Kelmore 
takes  receiver.) 

KELMORE:  Good  morning,  Mr.  President.  .  .  .  Kelmore  speak 

ing.  Say,  Graves,  we  have  a  prisoner  of  war,  so  to 
speak.  .  .  .  Reverend  Francis  Dare.  .  .  .  We  don't 
want  him. . . .  What  has  he  done?  . .  .  Well,  nothing 
yet,  but,  you  know,  we  bar  all  but  our  own  people 
from  this  part  of  the  world.  We'll  soon  have  Russia 
barred.  .  .  .  This  fellow  will  get  killed  if  he  persists 
lingering  around  here.  .  .  .  No,  he's  not  a  war 

correspondent What's  that,  Graves?  No,  I  don't 

want  to  be  dictatorial,  but  if  he  got  killed  in  the 

melee,  you'd  blame  us Of  course,  he  has  his  own 

machine.  It's  a  white  air  boat,  and  he  calls  it  The 

Spotless. . .  .  What's  that?  Well,  just  as  you  say 

He  can  look  on  all  he  wants  to,  but  it's  not  right. 
.  .  .  No,  I  didn't  suppose  he  was  a  spy.  .  .  .  Well,  no. 
.  .  .  No  harm  done,  all  right,  but  I'd  rather  not.  .  .  . 
Good-by! 

(Hangs  up  receiver.) 

Send  Dare  in. 

(Davis  crosses  to  door.  Kelmore  resumes  -writing.  Dare, 


KELMORE; 


DARE: 
KELMORE: 

DARE: 
KELMORE; 


DARE: 


followed  by  Davis,  enters.  Dare  is  in  usual  ministerial 
garb.  Davis  points  to  Kelmore,  who  is  still  writing.  Dare 
stands  by  desk.  Kelmore  looks  up.) 


Be  seated! 


(Indicates  chair.  Dare  sits.) 


Dare,  you've  given  us  as  much  trouble  as  a  dozen 
Russians. 

Why  so,  my  Lord? 

If  you  were  an  Englishman,  I  could  make  you  do 
what  is  right.  But,  hang  it  all,  you're  an  American! 

My  Lord,  I  am  a  Servant  of  God. 

Pray  let  me  conclude:  During  several  of  the  recent 
battles  you  have  persisted  in  flying  around  near  the 
scene  of  encounter.  Last  night  you  were  there  again. 
You  are  not  a  war  correspondent,  nor  yet  a  spy. 
You  have  no  business  imperiling  your  life.  I  have 
asked  the  United  States  to  check  you,  but  she 
won't;  because  you  are  one  of  those  strange  anom 
alies  of  the  States, — a  free  citizen.  Tell  me  this, 
Dare,  why  have  you  imperiled  your  life  by  wit 
nessing  the  different  battles? 

(Eglantine,  Lord  Kelmore's  daughter,  opens  door  K.  and 
listens.) 

I  have  been  watching  the  beginning  of  the  End, — 
the  Kingdoms  of  this  world  are  about  to  become  the 
Kingdom  of  our  Lord,  wherein  dwelleth  Righteous 
ness. 

(Eglantine  enters.  Kisses  Lord  K.  and  bows  to  Davis.) 


KELMORE: 

DAVIS: 
DARE: 

KELMORE: 
EGLANTINE: 

DARE: 


KELMORE: 


My  dear  daughter!  (Aside)  A  fanatic  on  religion! 
We  can't  make  head  or  tail  of  what  he  says.  (To 
Davis)  Do  you  know  what  it's  all  about? 

I  confess  not,  my  Lord. 

(Eglantine  laughs  merrily.) 

Hear  me  further,  my  Lord.  You  are  but  fulfilling 
in  your  country's  share  of  the  conflict  that  which 
has  to  be.  ...  It  is  God's  will.  ...  It  has  to  be! 

You  speak  in  parables.  .  .  .  "Has  to  be"?  One  thing 
has  to  be.  ...  You  know  what,  Eglantine? 

Russia  has  to  be  whipped. 

(Davis,  Kelmore  and  Eglantine  laugh.) 

Even  so,  that  would  be  but  part  of  the  Universal 
plans.  The  confusion  that  now  exists  will,  in  time, 
give  way  to  the  Clearer  Understanding;  but  we  do 
not  fear,  "For  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a 
very  present  help  in  trouble." 

(Kelmore  taps  his  forehead  significantly  as  he  looks  at 
Eglantine,  as  though  to  indicate  that  Dare  was  mentally 
deranged.  She  laughs  merrily.) 

So  amid  all  this  devastation,  let  us  rejoice  in  hope  of 
the  glory  to  follow;  for,  though  the  night  be  filled 
with  a  million  terrors,  the  morning  is  at  hand,  when 
the  Glory  of  God  shall  illumine  a  world  at  peace, — 
forever  and  forever. 

(Impatiently.) 
All  this  haranguing  is  not  helping  the  issue.  So, 


DARE: 


KELMORE: 


EGLANTINE: 


DARE: 


KELMORE: 


Dare,  you  still  desire  to  risk  your  life  in  watching 
the  battles  in  the  air? 

There  will  not  be  much  occasion  for  me  to  watch 
further.  The  end  is  near, — and  then  God's  hand 
will  rule.  Look  through  this  window,  my  Lord,  and 
tell  me  who  would  have  thought  that  the  great  city 
of  London  should  be  in  such  a  state. 

(Eglantine,  till  finish  of  same,  remains  looking  as  tbo' 
fascinated  at  Dare.) 

You're  a  queer  fellow,  my  Reverend  Sir.  These 
battles  are  very  material  matters.  What  has  religion 
to  do  with  them? 

(Aside  to  Kelmore.) 
Hush,  Father,  don't  interrupt  him. 

My  Lord,  if  your  country  and  all  the  others  had 
paid  more  attention  to  God's  word,  you  would  not 
ask  what  you  do.  This  life  is  but  a  preparation  for 
the  Life  to  come.  But  before  that  Perfect  Life  may 
be  ours,  you,  my  Lord,  you  (to  Eglantine),  you 
(to  Davis)  and  I,  and  all,  must  come  to  the  Knowl 
edge  of  the  Lord. 

(To  Eglantine.) 

At  least,  he's  sincere. 

(Takes  card  off  desk  and  reads  it.) 

Give  instructions  that  the  Reverend  Francis  Dare 
be  not  molested  again.  He  is  free  to  fly  in  his  air 
boat,  The  Spotless,  right  in  the  heart  of  the  battle, 
if  he  wants  to. 


DAVIS: 
KELMORE; 


DAVIS: 


(To  Dare.) 

Were  you  a  British  subject  you'd  be  held  to  the 
peace,  but  you  are  an  American,  and  we  love  the 
Americans  like  brothers — at  least,  we  are  supposed 
to. 

(Telephone  bell  rings  harshly.  Davis  takes  up  receiver.) 
Our  secret  agent  at  Moscow,  my  Lord. 
(Takes  up  receiver.) 

Yes. . .  .  Just  as  I  supposed,  but  Japan  has  promised 

that  The  Kamka  will  be  here  tonight.  Good Yes, 

I  think  the  tables  will  be  turned  in  the  morning. 

(Hangs  up  receiver.) 

(To  Davis.) 

The  fresh  supplies  for  the  Russians  are  on  the  way. 
(Observes  Dare  still  lingering.) 

You  may  go,  Dare;  by  the  way,  there  will  be  a 
battle  tonight,  that  will  be, — as  the  Americans 
would  say, — the  limit;  Davis,  have  we  Dare's  ad 
dress? 

Yes,  my  Lord. 

(Servant  enters  with  decanter  of  wine  and  glasses.) 

Dare,  have  a  glass  of  wine  before  you  go. 

(Dare  shakes  his  head  in  refusal.  Servant  pours  wine. 
Lord  K.  takes  glass,  so  does  Eglantine.  Dare  crosses  to 
door,  turns  and  looks  at  Kelmore,  who  is  drinking,  while 
Eglantine  remains  motionless  with  wine  untouched.) 


KELMORE:  England,  always  mistress  of  the  seas,  will  soon  be 

mistress  of  the  air.  Our  invincible  will  shall  assert 
itself — our  will. 

DARE:  (Standing  in  doorway,  lifts  right  hand  impressively. 

Raises  forefinger.) 

Not  thy  will,  but  His  Will  be  done. 

(Eglantine  drops  glass  of  wine  with  a  crash.) 

CURTAIN 


TEN  HOURS  ARE  SUPPOSED  TO  HAVE  ELAPSED 
BETWEEN   SCENES  ONE  AND  TWO 


SCENE  TWO     •     One  Mile  Above  London 

(Totally  dark  stage,  a  gauze  drop  being  the  entire  setting.  Yellow  lights  appear, 
moving  from  L.  to  R.,  filling  half  the  scene.  No  figures  are  seen,  voices  alone 
being  heard.) 

GEN.  Where  are  we  now  ? 

DROSKY: 

VOICE:  One  mile  above  London.  We  rest  exactly  over  the 

Tower. 

GEN.  Our  lights  will  betray  us.  Out  with  them!  They 

DROSKY:  must  not  know  if  we  are  at  a  standstill  or  moving. 

(Yellow  lights  go  out.) 
Haven't  we  enough  explosives? 
VOICE:  No. 


ANOTHER 
VOICE: 

GEN. 
DROSKY: 

VOICE  No.  2 


GEN. 
DROSKY: 


VOICE: 

GEN. 
DROSKY: 


BLIFKA: 

GEN. 
DROSKY: 


VOICE: 

GEN. 
DROSKY: 

VOICE  No.  3 


GEN. 
DROSKY: 


General! 


Yes. 


Our  new  supplies  are  to  be  delivered  tonight,  but 
how  can  we  be  found  with  our  lights  out?  Then 
there  is  the  danger  of  collision. 

Lights  on! 

(Yellow  lights  appear  as  before.) 
When  should  the  explosives  arrive? 
At  about  10. 

The  Dragon  carries  blue  lights.  We  shall  not  miss 
her.  How  say  you,  Blifka?  If  we  destroy  the  Tower 
of  London  tonight  the  starch  will  be  out  of  Johnny 
Bull! 

England's  days  are  numbered. 

Truly  spoken.  With  a  few  more  crushing  victories, 
like  last  night,  this  tight  little  island  will  be  ruled 
by  His  Imperial  Majesty  the  Czar  of  all  the  Russias. 

White  light  to  starboard! 

White  light?  Who  carries  a  white  light? 

Beg  pardon,  General;  it's  The  Spotless  with  the 
American  minister  aboard. 

Ah,  that  religious  fellow  again!  He's  in  danger 
ously  close  proximity.  Megaphone  him  to  keep  clear 
of  us  if  he  doesn't  want  to  get  hurt. 


MEGAPHONE 
OFF: 

VOICE  FROM 
DISTANCE: 

MEGAPHONE: 


VOICE  FROM 
DISTANCE: 

VOICE  No.  1: 

GEN. 
DROSKY: 


Avast  there! 
Aye! 

General  Drosky's  compliments  to  the  minister,  but 
let  him  heave  off;  he  is  on  dangerous  ground. 

All  right!  Thank  you! 

(White  light  recedes  and  disappears.) 

The  Dragon's  coming. 
How  far  off? 


VOICE  No.  1 :       About  six  miles. 


GEN. 
DROSKY: 

BLIFKA: 


GEN. 
DROSKY: 


She's  slowed  down  for  fear  of  collision.  Five  hun 
dred  miles  an  hour  is  her  gait  when  she's  in  a  hurry. 

She's  in  a  hurry  now.  Look  how  she  flies ! 

(Blue  lights  appear,  entering  R.  toward  L.) 
Hello,  there! 


VOICE  No.  5:       Hello! 


GEN. 
DROSKY: 


Load  us  up,  quick!  We'll  wipe  the  best  part  of  Lon 
don  off  the  map  tonight. 

(Lights  out.) 
CHANGE  TO 


SCENE  THREE     •     The  Battle  of  London 

(Bombs  and  other  explosives  are  ascending  and  descending,  exploding  every 
second.  General  Drosky's  airship  is  seen  in  perspective, — the  yellow  lights, 
much  smaller,  showing  it  to  be  apparently  one-quarter  of  a  mile  away.  The 
battle  continues  ad.  lib.  Red  lights  suddenly  enter  from  L.  to  R.  and  continue 
moving  across  front  of  stage  and  obstructing  view  of  Drosky's  ship.) 


VOICE: 


DARE: 


Yellow  lights  are  Drosky.  We  can't  touch  him  from 
here.  He  sees  us.  After  him! 

(Red  lights  cross  from  L.  to  R.  and  of.  A  terrific  volley 
of  explosives  is  seen  to  strike  Drosky's  air  boat,  which  is 
torn  into  fragments  and  falls.  During  the  cessation  of 
hostilities,  Dare  enters  in  his  air  boat  "The  Spotless." 
Dare  in  air  boat  remains  almost  stationary  at  left.  Spot 
light  is  focused  on  Dare.) 

(Apostrophizing  the  scene.) 

Fight  on!  Fight  on!  Let  war  spread  its  terrors  over 
the  earth!  Let  the  nations  great  and  little  rout  each 
other  with  fearful  carnage,  and  thus  enact  that 
which  hath  long  been  foretold!  So  out  of  this  chaos 
shall  come  order;  so  the  sound  of  the  explosive  shall 
change  to  angels'  music;  so  the  battlefields  strewn 
with  war's  horrors  shall  become  blooming  gardens 
of  everlasting  flowers,  and  we  shall  behold  the  Re 
demption  of  Man  and  the  Dawn  of  Eternity. 

(Battle  continued  with  greater  force  than  before.) 
SLOW  CURTAIN 


END   OF   EPOCH   THE   EIGHTH 


Characters  in  €pocl)  tfje  JUt 


ELTHA 
NABO 

REV.  FRANCIS  DARE 
EGLANTINE 

ABRAHAM  From  Act  1 


From  Act  2  EPOCH  THE  SECOND 


EPOCH  THE  EIGHTH 


EPOCH  THE  FIRST 


SCENE     •     A  Garden  in  the  Holy  Land 


Jftoe 


EPOCH  THE  NINTH 


A  GARDEN  IN  THE  HOLY  LAND 


ELTHA: 


ABRAHAM: 
ELTHA: 

ABRAHAM: 


(Trunk  of  fallen  tree  L.  C.) 
(Eltha  enters.) 

How  beautiful  the  evening!  How  peaceful  is  my 
heart!  It  seems  but  yesterday  that  I  lay  on  the 
couch,  gazing  at  the  roof-tops  of  Jericho,  but  I 
know  it  is  many  thousand  years  since  then.  And 
Nabo,  if  he  believed,  and  died  believing,  will  of  a 
surety  sometime  be  here  to  greet  me.  But  who  comes 
now,  garbed  in  a  manner  old? 

(Abraham  enters.) 

Venerable  Master,  you,  like  myself,  are  born  again. 
Pray,  who  are  you? 

I  am  Abraham. 

Abraham!  Surely  not  that  Abraham  whom,  almost 
at  the  beginning  of  the  world,  the  Lord  did  promise 
much  to! 

And  the  Lord's  promise  hath  been  fulfilled;  for  thus 
spake  the  Lord  so  many,  many  centuries  ago: 
"Abraham,  lift  up  thine  eyes,  and  look  from  the 
place  where  thou  art;  all  the  land  that  thou  seest  to 


DARE: 


ELTHA: 


ELTHA: 


the  east  and  the  west,  and  the  north  and  the  south, 
all  the  land  which  thou  seest,  to  thee  will  I  give  it, 
and  to  thy  seed  forever."  Thus  spake  the  Lord,  and 
thus  it  hath  come  to  pass. 

( Rev.  Francis  Dare  enters.) 

Yes,  Abraham,  and  many  other  things  have  come 
to  pass.  Out  of  the  chaos  of  War,  Doubt,  Atheism, 
Conflicting  Religions, — out  of  all  these  things  have 
come  the  fulfillment  of  God's  promise — the  Re 
demption  of  Man.  For  in  your  days,  Abraham,  was 
but  the  beginning  of  things,  and  now  is  the  end— 
the  glorious  end,  when  the  believers  and  the  un 
believers  all  believe  and  live  again  in  the  Complete 
and  Never-to-End  Life.  It  has  of  a  verity  come  as 
He  said  it  would  come — the  Redemption  of  Man. 

(Eltha  crosses  to  fallen  tree.) 

It  is  as  he  says,  both  the  believer  and  the  unbeliever 
alike  have  at  last  come  into  the  Eternal  ways. 

(She  kneels.) 
(Abraham  exits  with  Dare  conversing  aside.) 

And  now  I  would  fain  know  if  my  Nabo,  who  saw 
me  die  in  the  dim  ages  past, — if  my  Nabo  will  come 
tome. 

(Looks  up.) 

O,  Thou  Great  Jehovah,  having  lived  here  in  the 
New  Jerusalem, — lo,  these  many  years,  and  re 
membering  that  Thou  hadst  promised  that  in  this 
day  Thou  wouldst  hear  before  we  called,  and  while 
we  were  speaking  yet  wouldst  Thou  hear;  and,  be 
lieving  it  is  not  out  of  harmony  with  Thy  plan,  I 


NABO: 


ABRAHAM: 


humbly  beseech  Thee,  it  may  fall  to  my  lot  to  teach 
Nabo  Thy  ways  and  that  he  may  know  Thee  as 
Thou  art.  And  if  it  is  Thy  will,  O  Lord,  may  Nabo 
appear. 

(Buries  her  face  in  hands  as  she  remains  kneeling  by 
trunk  of  fallen  tree.  Nabo  enters  R.,  not  seeing  Eltha.) 

Is  this  death? 

(Bus.) 

(feels  for  wound  where  he  had  killed  himself  in  Act  2.) 

Here  is  the  wound  where  I  did  kill  myself.  Truly  I 
feel  that  I  wander  as  in  some  Spirit  Land. 

(Observing  Eltha  kneeling.) 

But  there  is  Eltha!  This  is  not  Death,  but  Life, — as 
she  said  it  would  be,  Life  Eternal. 

(Crosses  toward  her  as  Abraham  enters.) 

And  yet,  what  has  passed  and  what  was  that  Death? 

(Advancing.) 

There  was  no  knowledge  nor  device  in  the  grave 
whither  thou  hast  slept, — lo  these  many  years! 

(Pointing  to  tree.) 

Look,  as  the  tree  falleth,  so  it  lies!  That  which  we 
called  Death  was  only  a  dreamless  sleep;  for  as 
through  Adam  we  all  passed  into  the  sleep  that  was 
called  Death,  yet  as  Christ  can  save  and  did,  so 
through  Him  we  shall  live  perfectly;  for  Christ 
gave  His  flesh  for  all  mankind, — the  believer  and 
the  unbeliever. 


NABO: 
ELTHA; 

NABO: 
ELTHA: 

DARE: 


ELTHA: 
DARE: 


(Eltha  rises,  observing  Nabo.  They  run  to  each  other  and 
embrace.) 

My  Eltha! 

My  Nabo,  redeemed  as  I  hoped  he  would  be, — 
redeemed  in  the  Dawn  of  Eternity! 

Your  words  have  come  true, — your  words .  .  . 

God's  words,  my  own! 

(Dare  enters  with  Eglantine.) 
(To  Eglantine.) 

In  those  awful  days,  now  past  and  gone  forever, 
when  war  cast  its  terrors  by  air,  earth,  and  sea, 
when  your  Father  would  have  scoffed  at  me,  save 
for  your  gentle  chiding,  when  to  preach  God's 
Word  was  my  only  thought  and  care,  when  I  would 
not  dare,  even  tho'  I  knew,  to  read  that  sweet  mes 
sage  in  your  eyes, — even  then  I  knew  this  day 
would  come,  when  blessed  with  immortality,  all 
are  forgiven.  So  now,  with  Eternity  before  us,  I  give 
thee  thy  first  kiss,  and  lead  thee — lead  thee — 

(To  Nabo.) 
As  I  also  lead  thee — 

(To  Eglantine.) 

Lead  thee  to  the  Everlasting  City,  where  the  Glory 
of  God  shines  forever  and  where  there  never  cometh 
the  Night. 

(Dare  and  Eglantine.  Nabo  and  Eltha.  Abraham  follow 
ing  slowly  across  stage.) 

DARK  CHANGE 


CHORUS  OF  THE  ETERNAL  ONES  AT 
THE  TRANSFORMATION 


(Stage  darkens  at  the  close  of  Ninth  Epoch.  Chorus  is  heard  swelling  in  vol 
ume  till  the  last  scene.  Tableau  of  The  Holy  City — full  lighting — hundreds 
of  white-robed  figures — Angel  chorus.) 

Joyful  swells  the  song  exultant, 

With  its  wondrous  message  stored. 

All  the  people  of  the  Earth 

Are  now  the  Nations  of  our  Lord! 

And  f orevermore  we  sing, — 
Hail  to  the  Eternal  King! 

All  is  joy  and  all  is  gladness 

With  this  great  immortal  throng! 

Gone  forever  death,  pain  and  sadness 
In  the  echoes  of  our  song — 

As  f  orevermore  we  sing, 

Hail  to  the  Eternal  King! 


THE  END  OF  THE  PLAY 


I 


821082 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


